Apparatus for producing a permanent record of bowling game scores entered on a visual scoreboard



R. L. MILLER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF BOWLING GAMESCORES ENTERED ON A VISUAL SCOREBOARD Filed Aug. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Fig.2.

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ROBERT L. MILLER ATTORNEY w R. MILLER 3,299,775 APPARATUS FOR PRODUCINGA PERMANENT RECORD OF BOWLING GAME Jan. 24, 1967 SCORES ENTERED ON AVISUAL SCOREBOARD Filed Aug. 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIYllIllLl :NJ Il l wmmwo TIMER SCORING CIRCUITRY INVENTOR ROB RT L. MILLER ATTORNEYUnited States Patent APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OFBOWLING GAME SCORES EN- TERED ON A VISUAL SCOREBOARD Robert L. Miller,Oimsted Fails, Ohio, assignor to Cleveland Trust Company, Cleveland,Ohio, rustee Filed Aug. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 392,458

3 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to an apparatus forindividually entering on an automated scoreboard the frame-to-framescores and ball results achieved during a bowling game such that at thecompletion of the game the entire scoreboard can be viewed and thehistory of the game reviewed including the running total in any frame aswell as the ball results of any frame. More particularly, the inventionrelates to apparatus for producing a permanent record of such ascoreboard at the completion of a game.

Systems have now been devised for automatically computing scores in abowling game and for displaying on an automated scoreboard the ballresults of each ball rolled and the frame-to-frame scores as the gameprogresses. Such a scoreboard may be suspended above the alley so as tobe easily viewed by the players, and is provided with a face platedivided into frame boxes each having ball results boxes therein. In thisrespect, it is designed to simulate, in appearance, a conventionalbowling game score sheet. In each score box are openings, and behindthese openings are means for displaying numbers or bowling game marks.One such arrangement, for example, may employ numbered wheels which arerotated to positions at the beginning of the game such that blanks arepresented to the openings, but which may be selectively rotated topredetermined angular positions to make the desired number comprisingthe ball results or scores appear at the openings in successive frameboxes as the game progresses. Alternatively, shutters may be providedfor each opening in the scoreboard, which shutters are closed until ascore or ball result is entered.

Although the foregoing system provides means whereby a simulatedscoreboard may be viewed during the progress of a game, it does notprovide a permanent record of the frame-to-frame scores or ball resultsof each ball delivered at the completion of a game.

Accordingly, as an overall object, the present invention provides meansfor obtaining a permanent record of scores entered on an automatedscoreboard which simulates in appearance a conventional bowling gamescore sheet.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide means forphotographically reproducing the visual appearance of a scoreboardsimulating a conventional bowling game score sheet.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specificationand in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of bowling alleys each having ascoreboard of the type described above and incorporating the means ofthe invention for photographically reproducing the appearance of thescoreboards at the completion of a game;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration of one of the scoreboards shown inFIG. 1;

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FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the numbered wheels and actuatingmechanism therefor utilized in the scoreboard of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top view taken substantially along line IV -IV of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a pair ofadjacent bowling alleys A and B are each provided with a pin deck 10 atthe forward end of the alley and a foul line 12 at the opposite end.Ahead of each foul line 12 is an approach area 14; and between theapproach areas 14 is a space 16, which space is occupied between thealleys A and B proper by gutters 18. In the usual case, a ball return,not shown, will also be provided, said ball return having a ball rack inthe area 16. Behind each of the pin decks 10 is a pit, generallyindicated at 19; and behind each pit is a backstop 2t).

Suspended above each alley A and B is a scoreboard 22, the scoreboardsbeing identical for each alley A and B. With reference to FIG. 2, eachscoreboard comprises a generally rectangular housing 24 having itsforward face plate 26 scribed to simulate a conventional bowling gamescore sheet. Thus, the face plate 26 is scribed into ten frame columns28. The frame columns, in turn, are divided into five player lines 30extending transversely across the face plate 26. At the left end of theplayer lines 30 are spaces 32 adapted to receive the names of fiveplayers playing a bowling game. The names may be entered one below theother on a board, for example, which slides on guideways or the like,not shown, into the space identified by the spaces 32, it beingunderstood that the scoreboards 22 will be of such height that theaforesaid board may be manually slipped into the area covered by spaces32 without the need for a ladder or the like.

The arrangement of the frame columns 28 and player lines 30 divides thesimulated score sheet on the face plate 26 into a plurality of frameboxes. Each frame box, in turn, is provided with two openings 34 and 36arranged to display indicia representing the frame-to-frame scores andball results, respectively, in each frame of the game.

One way in which the numerals or mark indicia representing ball resultsand scores may be entered in the openings 34 and 36 is shown in FIGS. 3and 4. It will be assumed that the illustration given in FIGS. 3 and 4is for the third frame of a game wherein three numbered wheels 38, 40and 42 are mounted behind the opening 34. In a somewhat similar manner,two numbered wheels are positioned behind the ball results openings 36in each of the first nine frames, only one of said numbered wheels 44being shown in FIG. 3. In the tenth frame of the scoreboard it is, ofcourse, necessary to provide three numbered wheels corresponding towheel 44 shown in FIG. 3 since in the tenth frame it is possible toachieve a bonus ball.

Each of the numbered wheels 38, 40 and 42 is freely rotatable on astationary shaft 46. Similarly, wheel 44 and its adjacent ball resultswheel are mounted for free rotation on a stationary shaft 48. Theperipheries of the score wheels 38, 40 and 42 are each provided witheleven peripheral facets or faces. Ten of the faces have the numerals 0through 9 thereon; while the eleventh is blank. Thus, when no score isto be entered in a particular frame box, the opening 34 for that framebox will appear blank. In a somewhat similar manner, each of the ballresults wheels 44 is provided with facets or faces around its periphery,one of which is blank and the remainder of which have the numerals 1through 9 thereon as well as indicia representing marks achieved in abowling game. Thus, before a frame is played in a game, the ball resultswheel 44, for example, will be rotated to a position where its blankface or facet is within the opening 36.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each of the numbered score wheels 38, 40 and 42is provided on one face with a gear 54 which, in turn, meshes with acooperating gear 56 on a shaft 58 which is continually rotated by meansof a motor 60. Each gear 56 is provided with an integral hub portion 62and is slideably fitted over the shaft 58. On one side of the gear 56 isa collar 64 secured to the shaft 58 so as to rotate therewith; and,similarly, on the other side of the gear 56 and spaced from the hubportion 62 is a second collar 66 also secured to shaft 58 so as torotate therewith. Interposed between the collar 66 and hub portion 62 ofgear 56 is a leaf spring 68; and it will be appreciated that thearrangement just described comprises a slip clutch arrangement whichcauses the gear 56 and its associated numbered wheel 38, 40 or 42 torotate unless the gear 56 is positively stopped such that the shaft 58will rotate while sliding on the inner periphery of the gear '56.

In a somewhat similar manner, each of the numbered ball results wheels44 is provided with a gear 70 which meshes with a gear 72 connectedthrough a slip clutch arrangement, not shown, to a continuously rotatingshaft 74. While the numbered score and ball results wheels are shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 for a single frame only, it will be appreciated that thescore wheels for the first player lines, for example, are all mounted onthe common shaft 46 and that the gears for all of the score wheels for aplayer line are driven through slip clutch arrangements mounted on thesingle continuously rotating shaft 58. Thus, only a single drive motor60 is required for the numbered score wheels in each frame line.Similarly, a single drive motor is required for all of the numbered ballresults wheels in each player line.

Rotation of the gears 56 for the numbered score wheels 38, 40 and 42and, hence, rotation of the score wheels themselves is controlled, bymeans of a pair of solenoids 76 and 78. Provided on one face of each ofthe gears 56, as best shown in FIG. 3, is a projection 80 which isnormally engaged. by a member 82 connected to the solenoid 76 andadapted to be pulled out of engagement with the projection 80 uponenergization of solenoid 76. Also provided in the face of each gear 56are a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings or detents 84 eachof which is adapted to be engaged by an element 86 which is selectivelydriven into engagement with one face of the gear 56 by the solenoid 7 8.In the operation of the numbered wheels shown in FIG. 4, for example,each wheel may be returned to a position where its blank face 50 is inthe opening 34 by deenergizing solenoid 78 such that the gear 56 willrotate to a position where the projection 8t engages the element 82. Atthis point, both the gear 56 and its associated score wheel must stopwith its blank face 50 in opening 34. When a score is achieved, thesolenoid 76 will be energized to pull the element 82 out of engagementwith projection 86, thereby permitting the gear 56 to rotate. The gear56 will then continue to rotate until, in timed sequence, the solenoid78 is energized to drive the element 86 into an associated one of theopenings or detents 84, thereby stopping the score wheel at the propernumber within the opening 34. The operation of the ball results wheels44 is the same; except that in this case each wheel is controlled by apair of solenoids 83 and 90.

The solenoids '76, 78, 88 and 96 are controlled by circuitry 91 such asthat shown and described in US. Patent No. 3,124,355. By reference tothat application, it will be seen that suitable switching may beprovided for connecting the ball results and score wheels of aparticular frame box for a particular player to the scoring circuitry.

The player line which is activated at any one time is determined bydepression of an associated push-button of two sets of five pushbuttons92 and 94 in accordance with the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 3,124,355.The pushbuttons 92 and 94 are located on a console 36 as shown in FIG. 1between the approach areas 114. Whenever a bowler prepares to bowl, hewill press his associated pushbutton in the group 92 or 94, whereuponthe scoring circuitry described in US. Patent No. 3,124,355 will beconnected to the scoring wheels for his player line, and specificallythe score and ball results wheels for the frame in that player linewhich he is about to play.

In accordance with the present invention, one or more cameras 98 and 1%are provided for photographically reproducing the appearance of thescoreboard 22 at the completion of a bowling game. referably, thecameras 98 and 1% are simple box cameras of fixed focal length andemploy film of the type which does not require processing of a negative,but which enables the photographic reproduction to be obtained within amatter of minutes, such as that sold by the Polaroid Corporation. Thecamera will be automatically actuated to open its shutter at thecompletion of a game by the scoring circuitry identified in FIG. 4 byreference numeral 91 and described in the aforesaid US Patent No.3,124,355. By reference to that patent, it will be seen that at thecompletion of a game, a reset relay 636 is actuated. Actuation of thisrelay may be used to actuate a solenoid 102 (FIG. 4) which trips theshutter 161 of camera 160, for example, to photographically reproducethe visual appearance of scoreboard 22. Following actuation of solenoid102, the relay 636 of Patent No. 3,124,355 may be used also within theskill of the art to actuate solenoids 78 and 96 to reset all of thenumbered wheels herein such that the scoreboard again appears blank. Ifdesired, the signal used to actuate solenoid 102 may also be applied toa timer 164 which advances the film and presents the completedphotograph for severance after lapse of a predetermined time followingactuation of the shutter.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certainspecific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the:art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be madeto suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. In this respect, it will be apparent that the number ofcameras employed to obtain reproductions of one or more scoreboards canbe varied to suit requirements. Likewise, the positioning of thescoreboards may be one above the other rather than side-by-side as shownherein.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for visually displaying scores achieved in a bowlinggame and for producing a permanent record of the frame-to-frame scores;the combination of a scoreboard having a front face simulating a bowlinggame score sheet and having frame score boxes thereon, means forvisually entering the scores in their respective boxes on said frontface as each frame is played in a game, and stationary means spaced fromthe front face of the scoreboard for photographically reproducing thevisual image of the entire front face of the scoreboard on a singlestationary photosensitive film surface at the completion of a bowlinggame with the scores entered thereon to produce a permanent record ofthe same.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and including means for removing from viewthe visual indicia representing the frame-to-frame scores at thecompletion of a game such that the scoreboard can be used for asucceeding game.

3. In apparatus for automatically displaying ball results and scoresachieved in a bowling game and for producing a permanent record of theframe-to-frame scores and the ball results aclL'eved in each frame; thecombination of a scoreboard having a front face arranged to simulate abowling game score sheet and having frame score boxes and ball resultsboxes in each frame box, means 5 including mechanically rotatablenumbered wheels for visually entering the ball results and scores intheir respective boxes on said front face as each frame is played in agame, stationary means exterior to the scoreboard and spaced from saidfront face for photographically reproducing the visual appearance of thefront face of scoreboard on a single stationary photosensitive filmsurface .at the completion of a bowling game with the ball results andscores entered thereon by appropriate rotation of said rotatablenumbered wheels to produce a permanent record of the same, and means forrotating said numbered wheels at the completion of a game after thevisual ap- 6 pearance of the scoreboard has been photographicallyreproduced whereby no scores or ball results visually appear on thescoreboard preparatory to a succeeding game.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1940 Hineline8824 JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner. NORTON ANSHER, Examiner.

R. A. WINTERCORN, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN APPARATUS FOR VISUALLY DISPLAYING SCORES ACHIEVED IN A BOWLINGGAME AND FOR PRODUCING A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE FRAME-TO-FRAME SCORES;THE COMBINATION OF A SCOREBOARD HAVING A FRONT FACE SIMULATING A BOWLINGGAME SCORE SHEET AND HAVING FRAME SCORE BOXES THEREON, MEANS FORVISUALLY ENTERING THE SCORES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BOXES ON SAID FRONTFACE AS EACH FRAME IS PLAYED IN A GAME, AND STATIONARY MEANS SPACED FROMTHE FRONT FACE OF THE SCOREBOARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHICALLY REPRODUCING THEVISUAL IMAGE OF THE ENTIRE FRONT FACE OF THE SCOREBOARD ON A SINGLESTATIONARY PHOTOSENSITIVE FILM SURFACE AT THE COMPLETION OF A BOWLINGGAME WITH THE SCORES ENTERED THEREON TO PRODUCE A PERMANENT RECORD OFTHE SAME.